Part One: Landscape Character Descriptions 1. Dark Peak

Landscape Character Types

• Open Moors ...... 1.4 • Settled Valley Pastures ...... 1.13 • Moorland Fringe ...... 1.7 • Riverside Meadows ...... 1.18 • Enclosed Moorland ...... 1.10

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.1 Dark Peak CHARACTER AREA 51 An upland landscape of high moors and settled valleys

Landscape Character Types

• Open Moors • Enclosed Moorland • Riverside Meadows • Moorland Fringe • Settled Valley Pastures

"Should you tire of the valleys and desire to breathe a larger air, the moors are never far distant - moors gloriously open and grand .... These are the real moors of heather and bracken which flame with brown and yellow and purple in the autumn." (p8 JB Firth ‘Highways and Byways in Derbyshire')

Introduction Buildings constructed from the with vertical cliff faces referred to as local ‘gritstone' and dry-stone walls ‘edges' regularly defining the The Dark Peak extends over a large in the same material reinforce the Moorland Fringe. Collectively, area of north-west Derbyshire character and provide a visual link these rocky outcrops add to the although much of it lies within the to the underlying geology. wild and exposed nature of this administrative boundaries of the landscape. Peak District National Park. In Physical Influences Derbyshire, the Dark Peak extends The plateau tops, rising to 636m at from Glossop and New Mills, in the The Dark Peak is a dramatic upland Kinder Scout, are heavily dissected north and west, to the urban fringes landscape that owes much of its by drainage channels. Where run- of Sheffield, in the east and as far character to the underlying geology off has been sufficient to create south as Matlock. For the purposes of Millstone Grit sandstone. This rivers like the Goyt and Derwent, of the Derbyshire Landscape hard ‘gritstone' interspersed with these have eroded through the Character Assessment, the Dark softer shales has given rise to this gritstone to form broad, often steep Peak character area also includes distinctive landscape of ‘high sided, upland valleys that have the small area of the South West moors' dissected by broad valleys provided the focus for settlement Peak and Manchester Pennine and narrow rocky ‘cloughs'. and farming highlighted in Settled Fringe character areas that lie within Gritstone outcrops, creating rocky Valley Pastures. Sometimes scree Derbyshire. tors, punctuate these extensive and exposed rock located within areas of upland plateaux defining these valleys provide a link to the The expansive moorland of the the Open Moors. Moorland tops wild moorland character above the Peak District is one of the most provide long uninterrupted views valley sides. extensive semi-natural wilderness areas in England. Much of the moorland is traditionally managed for grouse shooting and sheep grazing. Hedgerows and dry-stone walls enclose the more sheltered valleys around these upland plateaux to provide pasture for dairy and livestock farming.

The visual and environmental value of this landscape lies in the contrast River alluvium between the wild moorland and the Millstone small scale domesticated farmland Grit & sandstone Open Moors Grit within the in-bye land around the } Clay shale Series margins. These differences form the Moorland Fringe basis for the sub-division of the Enclosed Moorland Dark Peak into Landscape Character Types. Settled Valley Pastures Riverside Meadows

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.2 Natural Influences Much of the agricultural landscape advantage of the easier gradients seen today has developed over the and serving the local populations Semi-natural vegetation is a key last millennium. The Domesday and industrial sites. characteristic with extensive areas Book describes the area as of heather and grass moorland sparsely settled and economically defining the Open Moors and backward. Much of the area was making a significant contribution to included in the Royal Forest of the Moorland Fringe and Enclosed Peak, and remained so until the Moorland. 17th century. Although the Open Moors remain unsettled and free of The lower lying in-bye land man-made features, the lower lying associated with Settled Valley margins of the Moorland Fringe and Pastures retains traditional hay Enclosed Moorlands are meadows and unimproved pasture, characterised by scattered and steep slopes and sheltered farmsteads built in the local cloughs retain areas of semi-natural gritstone. Villages are confined to broadleaf woodland. Where the valley bottom and lower slopes boundaries are not maintained, of the Settled Valley Pastures, and woodlands are gradually being lost often contain industrial terraces that as stock graze on young trees and once housed workers from the local prevent natural regeneration. In textile industry. recent years, grassland Railway bridges at Chapel-en-le-Frith management has been intensified on the lower valley slopes and Roads extending up the valley reduced towards the moorland, sides are few but tend to occur as making the distinction between winding country lanes sometimes moorland and enclosed farmland sunken, with steep narrow road less distinct, thus creating a gradual verges. Remnant moorland in many transition from one to the other. road verges is a reminder of the character of the wider landscape. Terrace houses All of these land-uses provide Even where the land either side has valuable habitats for wildlife. The industrial revolution saw the been agriculturally improved, these Heather moorland is a particularly development of large textile mills in can provide valuable floristic rare national habitat providing a the Riverside Meadows and the remnants. nesting site and food source for a associated expansion of number of rare birds. Broadleaf settlements like New Mills. The Open Moors have been woodland remains a key managed for grouse shooting and characteristic of Settled Valley Dry-stone walls, constructed of the sheep grazing since the early 19th Pastures where along with field local gritstone are a distinctive century. Periodic burning and boundaries, meadows and feature of the Dark Peak and regular grazing has ensured the pastures, it constitutes a mosaic of especially the Enclosed Moorlands. retention of the characteristic land wildlife habitats. Although walls extend into the cover that is seen today. valley bottoms, the lower slopes Human Influences tend to be enclosed by hedgerows which, together with the small fields, create a more enclosed Evidence of human activity on the character in contrast to the open Dark Peak dates from the Mesolithic expanse of the moors. Where the period when hunter gatherers were stone is fissile it has been used for attracted to even the highest moors, roofing. as indicated by finds of stone tools. The extent of settlement in the Roads and tracks are infrequent Red Grouse bronze age is dramatically throughout. They are generally illustrated by the surviving direct and follow straight lines as landscape on the East Moors. Here, Other considerations they cross the Open Moors and because of the lack of agricultural Enclosed Moorland. Some were improvement, remains of field • Peak District National Park former Roman roads or historic systems, settlements and ritual • PDNP Landscape Strategy & packhorse routes. Roads, railway monuments survive from the European Convention Action lines and even canals are more a second millennium BC. Plan feature of Settled Valley Farmlands • Peak District BAP and Riverside Meadows, taking Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.3 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: OPEN MOORS An upland landscape of rolling highland plateaux and heather moorland with a distinct sense of remoteness and ‘wildness'.

Ecology Key Characteristics Much of this landscape is covered • Gently to moderately rolling highland plateau by heather moorland comprising • Raw peat soils and blanket bog over gritstone Calluna, cross-leaved heath, and • Unenclosed heather moorland extensively grazed by sheep bilberry. In the wettest areas, • Distinct absence of trees heather is replaced by cotton-grass • Many important archaeological (prehistoric) features and Sphagnum moss. • Open and exposed landscape with expansive views Where the moorland is grazed, some acid communities may Geology and Landform Soils and Land-Use establish. Over-grazing can be a problem often characterised by the These moorland plateaux and hill The soils are raw peat and blanket presence of Nardus stricta grass. summits are strongly influenced by bog which infill the hollows of the This is an important habitat for the underlying geology of the underlying geology to create a ground nesting birds. Millstone Grit Series. The hard smooth undulating land surface. bedrock is difficult to erode, The peat develops as a Tree Cover creating broad tracts of upstanding consequence of the cold, wet highland, rising to over 600 metres climate that inhibits microbial This is a treeless landscape owing at Kinder Scout. The majority of this activity which decomposes organic to the elevation, the wetness of the landscape extends northwards as a matter. With time, the organic underlying soils and the generally broad, expansive plateau, but matter accumulates to create deep harsh climate that makes tree around the edges where river valleys peat soils usually between 2-4m growth difficult. This lack of trees have eroded through the gritstone, thick but sometimes as deep as creates an open and exposed there are outliers of moorland 6m. landscape with expansive views. plateaux occurring as occasional summits. This landscape has low agricultural value being used predominantly for Enclosure The upstanding nature of this sheep grazing or grouse in an landscape creates a strong sense of extensive farming system. It is essentially an unenclosed elevation and space, with landscape although on the more panoramic views over the isolated moorland summits, there surrounding countryside. may be very occasional dry-stone walls dividing the landscape into very broad enclosures. Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.4 Transport Built Environment

A key feature of these landscapes is It is an unsettled landscape owing their remoteness and inaccessibility. to the hostile climate and low There is the very occasional main agricultural value of the land. route crossing these moorland However, there may be evidence of plateaux but, for the most part, prehistoric man in the presence of access can only be gained on foot. standing stones and ancient earthworks.

Summary

These hill summits and moorland plateaux are formed by hard upstanding Millstone Grit to form the most elevated landscapes in the county. Overlain by deep peat and blanket bog, this landscape is being used for extensive sheep grazing or grouse rearing.

It is a landscape characterised by extensive semi-natural vegetation in the form of heather moorland. The climate, soils and grazing ensure that no trees are able to grow, so the landscape retains an open aspect with expansive long distance views.

With little agricultural value, this is also an unsettled landscape, although there is evidence of early mans’ existence through the presence of standing stones and prehistoric earthworks.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.5 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: OPEN MOORS

Planting and Management Guidelines

Open, rolling treeless landscape of heather moorland

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Open/unwooded

Primary tree character: Treeless

Woodland vision: Open/unwooded

Tree vision: Treeless

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.6 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: MOORLAND FRINGE A semi-natural moorland landscape of rough grazing fringing the high moor plateaux with exposed rocky outcrops and open, expansive views.

Ecology Key Characteristics A landscape with widespread • Moderate to steep upland slopes fringing the open moors patches of semi-natural vegetation • Exposed rock and scree slopes associated with gritstone edges either as heather moorland, with • Shallow peaty soils areas of Calluna, cross-leaved • Moorland slopes grazed by sheep heath and bilberry, or acid • Extensive semi-natural habitat of heather with rushes in damp grassland where Nardus and hollows Molinia grasses are dominant. In • Distinct absence of trees abandoned pastures there are • Open, exposed landscape with expansive views extensive patches of bracken and gorse.

Geology and Landform very acidic over the upland Where the upper slopes form gritstone, often having a wet peaty edges to the moorland, there are A landscape that is strongly surface horizon. In the less steep extensive amounts of bare rock and influenced by the underlying hollows, shallow peaty soils can scree, which also act as valuable Millstone Grit geology and defined develop. Surface water drainage is habitats. by the steep upper slopes and often impeded by the formation of edges that fringe the moorland an iron pan. Tree Cover plateaux. There are frequent outcrops of gritstone, most notable Owing to its elevation and poor The wet soils, exposure and when it forms distinct edges with quality soils, this is a very marginal uncontrolled grazing associated precipitous rock faces and scree agricultural landscape, used with these upland slopes seriously slopes. primarily as rough grazing for sheep restricts tree growth resulting in an rearing. Where the slopes are less essentially treeless landscape. The resultant landform creates a steep and soils can be improved, However, there is the occasional strong sense of elevation and more productive grassland will small plantation block or scattered exposure, with long distance result, provided adequate lime and trees associated with a minor panoramic views over surrounding fertiliser is applied. Much improved stream valley. These streamside countryside. pasture has now been abandoned trees, comprising oak, birch, and is reverting back to semi- hawthorn and goat willow, are often Soils and Land-Use natural vegetation associated with stubby or stunted. There is, moorland. however, something of an anomaly The soils are coarse, loamy and at Shire Hill, Glossop where a steep

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.7 sided knoll is extensively covered been abandoned and heather is foot via a network of public with a broadleaved woodland of oak returning, the walls often blend with footpaths and bridleways. and birch. the form and colour of this moorland landscape. Built Environment Enclosure Transport Large areas of this moorland fringe Visually, this landscape appears to are unsettled although there is the be unenclosed although dry-stone A Key feature of these landscapes occasional isolated farmstead walls enclose medium to large, is their remoteness and constructed of the local gritstone, regular fields. Many of these walls inaccessibility. There is the very sometimes retaining a roof covering are neglected and in poor condition, occasional main route crossing of stone slates. no longer operating as stock-proof moorland slopes but, for the most boundaries. Where pasture has part, access can only be gained on

Summary

A landscape associated with the upper slopes and edges of broad upland valleys defined by an underlying gritstone geology. The hard bedrock and steep slopes ensure that the soils are thin, freely draining and acidic in character. In some areas, the gritstone becomes so resistant to weathering that it forms distinct rocky edges and outcrops.

The altitude allied to the agriculturally poor soils ensure that this is a marginal landscape, grazed extensively by livestock, predominantly sheep. Enclosure tends to be on a large scale, creating a landscape of regular fields bounded by dry-stone walls. Farmsteads established at the time of enclosure, are sparsely scattered through the landscape, and are constructed in the local gritstone, sometimes retaining a roof covering of stone slates.

Extensive grazing by sheep, the thin soils and hostile climate have resulted in a largely treeless landscape apart from the occasional tree group planted as shelter for the scattered farmsteads. This is an open landscape with panoramic views.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.8 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: MOORLAND FRINGE

Planting and Management Guidelines

A steeply sloping, upland landscape of rough grazing fringing the high moors with no trees.

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Open/unwooded

Primary tree character: Treeless

Woodland vision: Open/unwooded

Tree vision: Treeless

• Where opportunities arise, the removal of coniferous plantation woodland should be encouraged.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.9 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: ENCLOSED MOORLAND An open, upland-farming landscape on broad rolling hill summits with patches of remnant moorland. Dry-stone walls enclose regular fields and straight roads join occasional isolated farmsteads.

The resultant land-use is low Key Characteristics quality pasture for stock rearing on wet moorland. Where pasture has • Moderate to steeply sloping gritstone hills been improved or on free-draining • Gritstone outcrops on hill summits and steeper slopes soils then some dairying occurs, • Peaty, acidic soils although in many areas during the • Rough grazing and areas of damp pasture with patches of winter there is a high risk of poaching. rushes • Patches of heather, gorse and bilberry, especially where fields are reverting back to moorland Ecology • Medium to large regular fields bounded by dry-stone walls A landscape with widespread • Unwooded landscape other than occasional amenity trees patches of semi-natural vegetation, around farmsteads either as heather moorland, with • Sparsely scattered gritstone farmsteads some with stone slate areas of Calluna, cross-leaved roofs heath and bilberry, or acid • Open landscape with expansive views grassland where Nardus and Molinia grasses are dominant. Where pasture has been improved Geology and Landform Soils and Land-Use through liming and fertiliser applications, then habitat value is The underlying Millstone Grit The variable nature of the geology low or confined to field margins strongly influences this upland and landform gives rise to a diverse and road verges. There are also landscape creating a series of range of soil types, all characterised patches of gorse and bracken on gritstone hills. The gritstone is hard by their acidic, podsolic nature. At steeper, free-draining slopes. and difficult to erode, which creates higher elevations, the soils are these gently rolling hill summits or shallow and have a peaty surface Where drainage is impeded and small upland plateaux. Exposed rock layer. On steeper slopes, the soils soils are slowly permeable, then outcrops are frequent on the are well-drained and loamy, whilst patches of rush pasture with steepest slopes forming, in places, over drift and on gentler summits, Juncus are locally frequent. At small gritstone edges. Some lower they are slowly permeable, higher elevations and associated lying summits are overlain with drift seasonally waterlogged and fine. All with steeper slopes, bare rock is from Palaeozoic sandstones and soils remain acidic where they are common, providing another shales adding further to the subdued not limed. valuable habitat. This is an nature of the rolling plateaux. important landscape for ground nesting birds.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.10 Tree Cover are straight and, together with the regular shaped fields, reflect the The wet soils, exposure and sheep relatively late enclosure of this grazing associated with these landscape from moorland. Place upland hills and plateaux, seriously names like Matley Moor and restrict tree growth so this is Matlock Moor reflect the former essentially a treeless landscape. land cover of these areas. However, there is the occasional small plantation block or tree group Transport Straight road in association with occasional Built Environment isolated farmsteads. The roads are straight and direct, having uniform width verges, again The settlement pattern is dispersed Enclosure reflecting the late enclosure of this with farmsteads sparsely scattered landscape. They connect the through the landscape. These are Dry-stone walls constructed from sparsely scattered farmsteads traditionally constructed from the the local gritstone enclose large established at the time of local gritstone with stone slate and regular fields. Many of these walls enclosure. Staffordshire blue clay tile roofs.

Summary

An open, upland farming landscape of broad rolling hill summits, formed by upstanding sandstone of the Millstone Grit Series. All the soils are free-draining, coarse loams but, where they are thinnest or under remnant semi-natural vegetation, they become impoverished, acidic and humic.

The present land-use is pastoral although, until the award of parliamentary enclosure, these areas would have been essentially semi-natural. Heather and bilberry would have been prevalent, although the moorland character is evidenced today with sporadic occurrences of gorse and bracken. Where marginal fields have been abandoned, these have quickly reverted back to moor and heath with birch scrub.

Individual sandstone farmsteads are scattered and would have followed the parliamentary enclosure of these areas. This late enclosure is characterised by regular and geometric shaped fields bounded by dry-stone walls. The moorland summits are inherently unwooded and trees are scarce other than those planted around farms for shelter and the occasional patch of colonising birch scrub. This creates an open landscape with expansive views.

The majority of roads are straight with fairly wide uniform width verges and would have been established at the time of parliamentary enclosures. The road verges now function as remnant habitats for many of the semi- natural heathland species.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.11 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: ENCLOSED MOORLAND

Planting and Management Guidelines

An open, unwooded landscape on broad, rolling hill summits punctuated by occasional small tree groups around farmsteads.

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Open/unwooded

Primary tree character: Localised amenity tree groups

Woodland vision: Open/unwooded

Tree vision: Localised amenity tree groups

• Conserve and enhance the tree groups that occur within and around rural settlements and isolated farmsteads. • Maintain open character.

Note At Matlock Moor, there has been large scale afforestation of the landscape by the Forestry Commission to create extensive commercial woodland. Today, local people value this landscape as a recreational resource for walking, cycling and nature conservation. A defining characteristic of Enclosed Moorland is its open and unwooded character. It would be unrealistic and undesirable to remove these large plantation woodlands. However, their visual and biodiversity value could be enhanced by allowing oak, birch and moorland species to develop around the edges as a link and in keeping with their moorland context.

Woodland Species Mix

‡ Amenity trees - appropriate tree species for planting as amenity trees associated with settlement should include locally occurring large woodland species, e.g. Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Pedunculate Oak (Quercus robur), and Ash (Fraxinus excelsior).

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.12 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED VALLEY PASTURES A settled, pastoral farming landscape on gently sloping lower valley sides, dissected by stream valleys. Dense watercourse trees, scattered boundary trees and tree groups around settlement contribute to a strongly wooded character.

waterlogged and loamy, over clay. Key Characteristics On the steeper slopes over gritstone, there are coarser loams • Moderate to steep lower valley slopes dissected by stream over rock, or finer loams over valleys slowly permeable subsoil. • Poorly draining soils over Carboniferous shale and sandstone • Pastoral farming with extensive improved pasture The traditional land-use on these • Bracken in some road verges and rushes associated with soils is stock rearing and dairying damp hollows with much of the land down to permanent pasture. Grass yield • Wooded character associated with tree belts along streams and potential is good although there is cloughs, scattered hedgerow trees and tree groups around the risk of poaching on the heavier settlement and farmsteads lower lying soils during wet • Small irregular fields enclosed by mixed species hedgerows and periods. Some of the steeper, occasional dry-stone walls upper slopes over gritstone are • Network of winding lanes with irregular verges, sometimes less intensively grazed and a sunken on steeper slopes coarser, more acidic grassland • Settled landscape of small nucleated settlements and scattered predominates. stone farmsteads with stone slate roofs • Stone terraced housing on lower slopes associated with historic Ecology mills • Enclosed landscape with views filtered by trees Much of this landscape is intensively farmed as permanent pasture and improved grassland, Geology and Landform by small stream valleys, which dissect the main valley as they drain and leys have little floristic interest. the surrounding high moors. However, there are some very A landscape strongly influenced by occasional species-rich hay the underlying geology and defined meadows. Where drainage is by the steep to gently sloping lower Soils and Land-Use impeded or the soils are slowly valley sides of broad upland valleys. permeable, patches of wet Where rivers have eroded through The nature of the underlying grassland with Juncus are frequent. the Millstone Grit they have geology ensures there is variation in On the upper slopes over gritstone, exposed the underlying shale to the soils. On the lower, less steep there may be localised patches of create these undulating lower valley slopes, over shale, the soils are acid grassland dominated by slopes. Further variation is created slowly permeable, seasonally Nardus and wavy hair grass.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.13 Where the soils are thinner and free- and particularly with dispersed Built Environment draining, particularly associated farmsteads. Small remnants of with steep slopes and road verges, ancient woodland persist and these A well settled landscape containing heathy plants like bracken, heather contribute further to the wooded towns, villages, small groups of and bilberry are locally common. character. cottages, and scattered farmsteads. Most traditional A network of stream valleys At higher elevations, trees are less buildings are constructed of the dissecting the main valley sides apparent due in part to the local gritstone with Welsh slate and assist in connecting these patches exposure and poorer soils, giving some surviving stone slate roofs. of habitat in the farmed landscape, way to a more open moorland which is reinforced by the hedgerow landscape. Tree species tend to be Much of the build environment has boundaries. These river corridors broadleaved and pre-dominantly a distinctive architecture relating to have dense tree belts and the oak and ash. Sycamore is often the building tradition of the occasional patch of alder carr. Many associated with transport routes, Manchester area and to its of the stream courses have and alder along the watercourses. industrial heritage, particularly the associated ponds and mill ponds textile industry. that function as important habitats Enclosure for amphibians. Those that have silted up have now reverted to alder A landscape of small, irregular carr. fields enclosed predominantly by hedgerows, although there are Several springs and soughs provide occasional and locally frequent wet marshy conditions and lateral walls especially on higher ground. water flows, which support isolated Hedgerows tend to be a mix of patches of species-rich marsh. species, including holly, hawthorn, hazel and blackthorn. Their species Tree Cover composition suggests that the Old industrial mills near Chinley fields may have been cleared Trees are well represented directly from woodland, and that Many settlements like Chapel-en- throughout to give the overall effect the woodland trees and shrubs le-Frith, Whaley Bridge and New of a strongly wooded landscape. were retained to form the Mills, have spread out along lower Dense tree belts, sometimes wide hedgerows. valley slopes and owe their origin to enough to form woodland bands, the harnessing of water power and occur along narrow, tributary stream Transport their expansion to the industrial valleys dissecting the main valley age. Terraces of weavers' cottages, some with sloping roof lines, and sides. These combine visually with There is a dense network of later Victorian terraces are a the scattered trees in the winding lanes, with irregular width characteristic feature of the valley hedgerows to filter the views. Small verges. Sunken lanes are a feature sides. groups of amenity trees are also on sloping ground, though they found associated with settlement avoid the very steepest slopes. There are also green lanes, some that run just to isolated farmsteads, together with footpaths linking settlements.

Much of this landscape has been utilised as transport corridors with major roads and railways taking advantage of the gentler lower valley slopes. This is particularly Stone terrace houses notable where the A6 trunk road and railway runs between Whaley Bridge and Disley.

Bluebell woods Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.14 Summary

This is an upland landscape associated with the lower slopes of broad upland valleys formed by rivers eroding through the Millstone Grit to expose the shale beneath. Tributary valleys that dissect the main valley sides to create an undulating landform provide further interest.

This is a well settled landscape taking advantage of the natural shelter offered by the lower valley sides, the better agricultural soils and the good communications. There are discrete settlements like Whaley Bridge and Chapel-en-le-Firth, small groups of cottages and industrial terraces, and scattered farmsteads. There is a dense network of lands connecting the villages with the dispersed farmsteads, with main roads and railway lines hugging the lower slopes immediately off the flood plain.

Trees are well represented throughout giving the overall impression of a well-wooded landscape. Many of the tributary valleys feeding the main valleys form wooded cloughs, some of ancient origin, and these woodland belts are supplemented by scattered hedgerow trees, amenity tree groups associated with settlement and secondary woodland along roads and railway lines. Many of the woodlands have an irregular outline reflecting the irregular field patterns and winding lanes.

This is a pastoral landscape and many of the fields are down to permanent improved pasture. However, with altitude, the grazing becomes less intensive and the pasture tends to be unimproved and, therefore, of greater importance ecologically.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.15 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED VALLEY PASTURES

Planting and Management Guidelines

A well-wooded pastoral landscape of small organic woodlands, occasionally of ancient origin, with densely scattered hedgerow and watercourse trees.

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Densely scattered small woodlands

Primary tree character: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees

Woodland vision: Widespread small-medium woodlands

Tree vision: Densely scattered hedgerow and dense watercourse trees

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 15ha small-medium

Woodland pattern: Organic

• Small-medium scale woodland planting. • Where opportunities arise, the removal of coniferous plantation woodland should be encouraged. • Conserve and restore all ancient woodland sites and restock with locally occurring native species. • Promote linked extensions to ancient woodland by natural regeneration and planting. • Ensure the use of indigenous tree and shrub species, including a proportion of large, long-lived species. • Ensure the management and enhancement of hedgerow trees, through selection and natural regeneration, or by planting. • Encourage the management of scrub and secondary woodland to link with existing habitats and woodland. • Enhance the visual and ecological continuity of river corridors by management, natural regeneration and planting of riparian trees. • Ensure the conservation and management of mature/veteran trees within hedgerows.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.16 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: SETTLED VALLEY PASTURES

Woodland Species Mix

Neutral/ Base-Rich Soils More Acidic Soils Waterlogged Conditions on all soil types Primary Tree Species 50% Primary Tree Species 50% Primary Tree Species 50% Betula pendula Silver Birch Betula pendula Silver Birch † Alnus glutinosa Alder Betula pubescens Downy Birch Betula pubescens Downy Birch Betula pubescens Downy Birch Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Salix caprea Goat Willow Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20% Secondary Tree Species 20% Secondary Tree Species 20% Major Major Major Fraxinus excelsior Ash Ilex aquifolium Holly Betula pendula Silver Birch Ilex aquifolium Holly Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Ilex aquifolium Holly Populus tremula Aspen Minor Minor Malus sylvestris Crab Apple Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Prunus padus Bird Cherry Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Shrubs 10-30% Shrubs 10-30% Shrubs 10-30% Major Major Major Corylus avellana Hazel Corylus avellana Hazel Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Salix aurita Eared Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow Minor Lonicera Minor Periclymenum Honeysuckle Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa canina Dog Rose Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20% Open space 0-20% Open space 0-20%

† Watercourse Trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as watercourse trees.

Hedgerow Species Mix

Suitable hedgerow plants Suitable hedgerow trees

Primary 70-75% Primary 70-75% Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Fraxinus excelsior Ash Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Secondary 25-30% Quercus robur Pedunculate Corylus avellana Hazel Oak Ilex aquifolium Holly Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Secondary 25-30% Acer campestre Field Maple Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime Tilia platyphyllos Large Leaved Lime

Occasional 0-5%* Malus sylvestris Crab Apple Prunus padus Bird Cherry Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Ulmus glabra Wych Elm

* only to be used if occurring locally within the landscape character type

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.17 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: RIVERSIDE MEADOWS Gentle valley floors contain upland rivers, lined with dense trees. Hedgerows enclose small, sub-regular fields in a pastoral landscape, interrupted by the occasional historic mill.

Key Characteristics Soils and Land-Use The soils are clayey loams, which • Gentle valley floors, with narrow flood plains containing are seasonally waterlogged. meandering rivers • Seasonally waterlogged soils over alluvium Some areas are permanently • Low intensity permanent pasture waterlogged and some wet hollows • Localised patches of rushes in damp hollows retain flood water long after the • Dense trees along watercourse, comprising of alder and willow majority of the floods have • Scattered boundary trees subsided. The traditional land-use • Small, sub-regular fields enclosed by hedgerows and dry-stone is permanent grassland due to the walls heavy waterlogged nature of the • Lanes along edges or crossing flood plains with gritstone soils and harsh climate. bridges over the rivers • Industrial heritage associated with gritstone mills powered by Ecology water The wet meadows, found in hollows • Strong sense of enclosure from adjacent slopes in the flood plain, remain partly flooded for much of the year. They Geology and Landform lying over gravels. The gravel acts support a marshy vegetation with as an aquifer, carrying water from rushes and are important remnants The flat base of the valley is upon the adjoining land into the river and of a diminishing habitat type. alluvium, formed when the river so is permanently waterlogged. The Riparian trees add to the ecological floods, slows down and deposits flood plain is generally flat in profile, value, particularly where there are the sediments it carries. At the edge with a gentle gradient downstream. patches of willow carr. of the valley base, there are gentle There are hollows in the flood plain slopes. They are underlain by reflecting the past course of the Further habitat diversity is provided Carboniferous shales and river. Along the river margins, there by bands of scrub and secondary unconsolidated material deposited are often noticeable banks called woodland that are colonising by weathering and downslope levees. These form due to the abandoned pasture. movement of material from the deposition of sediment as flood valley sides. waters wane and return to the river Tree Cover channel. The underlying sediment on the There are lines of scattered alder flood plain consists of alluvial mud and willow along the banks of the

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.18 river including the occasional patch The tree cover is greatly intensified Built Environment of willow carr. by the secondary woodland and scrub associated with abandoned Historically, there would have been and neglected pasture. Tree cover, little built development on the flood together with the valley landform, plain. Farmsteads would have creates a small scale enclosed occupied the higher ground to the landscape. edge of the valley, where the risk of flooding was less. However, Enclosure scattered throughout this landscape are water-powered The valleys are fringed on either gritstone mills and a few later side of the main rivers by a band of steam-powered mills, often one or two fields, with fairly straight constructed of red brick with boundaries. The fields are enclosed prominent chimneys. by thorn hedgerows and dry-stone walls.

Transport

The gentle valley bottoms contrast with the steep slopes of adjacent landscape types and form the Trees lining River Derwent obvious route for transport There are also occasional mature corridors. Lanes are not numerous but, where they occur, they tend to trees along field boundaries. These Corn Mill at Rowsley are principally oak and ash. run along the edge of the flood plain, raised up on embankments to reduce the risk of flooding. Occasionally, roads cross the rivers over gritstone bridges.

Summary

Fast flowing meandering rivers dissect Carboniferous sandstones and shales to form gentle valley floors with narrow flood plains. The soils are heavy clay loams prone to prolonged seasonal waterlogging.

These soils have traditionally supported meadowlands grazed by cattle. Fields tend to be medium sized enclosed by a mix of dry-stone walls and thorn hedgerows. Boundaries tend to be straight, although the edge of the flood plain is often sinuous.

Within the flood plain there are occasional mature hedgerow trees, predominantly oak and ash, with scattered trees, usually alder, along the river banks. The river corridor has a strong sense of enclosure created by the steep valley sides and extensive secondary woodland.

Due to the risk of flooding, this landscape would have been unsettled, with farmsteads being located on the valley sides. The valleys were transformed during the industrial revolution when industrialists built large mills to harness the power of the water. Some mills with associated weirs and pools remain today, converted to new uses.

Lanes are scarce and tend to cut across the flood plain but there are major roads and railway lines located at the edges, often on embankments.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.19 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: RIVERSIDE MEADOWS

Planting and Management Guidelines

An open flood plain with dense watercourse trees.

Excluding the Peak District National Park

Primary woodland character: Unwooded

Primary tree character: Dense watercourse trees

Woodland vision: Occasional small wet woodlands

Tree vision: Dense watercourse trees

Typical woodland size range: 0.5 - 5ha small

Woodland pattern: Organic/linear

• Ensure the use of indigenous tree and shrub species, including a proportion of large, long-lived species. • Ensure a balance is maintained between new woodland planting and areas of nature conservation value. • Enhance the visual and ecological continuity of river corridors by management, natural regeneration and planting of riparian trees.

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.20 Dark Peak LANDSCAPE TYPE: RIVERSIDE MEADOWS

Woodland Species Mix Waterlogged Conditions on all soil types Primary Tree Species 50% † Alnus glutinosa Alder Betula pubescens Downy Birch † Salix caprea Goat Willow † Salix fragilis Crack Willow

Secondary Tree Species 20% Major Betula pendula Silver Birch Ilex aquifolium Holly

Minor Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Tilia cordata Small Leaved Lime

Shrubs 10-30% Major Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Salix aurita Eared Willow Salix cinerea Grey Willow

Minor Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Rosa canina Dog Rose Viburnum opulus Guelder Rose

Open space 0-20%

† Watercourse Trees - tree species most appropriate for planting as watercourse trees.

Hedgerow Species Mix

Suitable hedgerow plants Suitable hedgerow trees Primary 70-75% Primary 70-75% Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Fraxinus excelsior Ash Quercus petraea Sessile Oak Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak

Secondary 25-30% Secondary 25-30% Corylus avellana Hazel Acer campestre Field Maple

Dark Peak Character Area 51 Part 1 - 1.21